Saturday, May 9, New Orleans woke to a mostly cloudy, muggy start, with an early observation around 72°F and humidity near 94%. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through the day, and the heaviest storms could bring brief, intense downpours that overwhelm drains and cause water to pond on streets. Commuters should be ready for slower travel during peak storm windows and think about moving outdoor plans inside.
What To Expect Today
According to the National Weather Service, a round of thunderstorms is likely between about 8 a.m. and noon, with additional storm clusters developing into the afternoon. The National Weather Service calls for a high near 79°F and says new rainfall amounts of roughly a half to three-quarters of an inch are possible in the heaviest cells, enough to produce localized flash flooding in poor-drainage spots. This updates our Friday rush hour soaker forecast, mainly to emphasize the greater flash-flood potential this morning.
Plan Around Flood-Prone Routes
Heavy downpours can overwhelm the city's drains and quickly flood underpasses and low-lying streets. The city's NOLA Ready site has street-flooding reports and guidance on what to do if your route floods, so sign up for alerts and check neighborhood street reports before driving. If you encounter standing water, turn around, never drive through flooded underpasses, and move vehicles off low spots where possible to avoid getting stranded.
Looking Ahead
Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday night with a low near 71°F and additional quarter- to half-inch totals possible. Another round of afternoon storms is expected Sunday with a high near 83°F. Monday looks unsettled with more storm chances and highs around 82°F, before a drier, sunnier stretch arrives Tuesday into next week with highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s.
How To Stay Informed
No watches or warnings are in effect right now, but forecasters continue to highlight the localized flash-flood risk in the heaviest storms, so keep an eye on updates through the day. Give yourself extra time for commutes, move outdoor events indoors if possible, and check the National Weather Service and NOLA Ready for real-time alerts and neighborhood flooding reports.
